U.S. patent number 9,233,725 [Application Number 14/216,763] was granted by the patent office on 2016-01-12 for bicycle seat for reducing pressure on a pubic bone of a user.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Vincent Marcel. The grantee listed for this patent is Vincent Robert Marcel. Invention is credited to Vincent Robert Marcel.
United States Patent |
9,233,725 |
Marcel |
January 12, 2016 |
Bicycle seat for reducing pressure on a pubic bone of a user
Abstract
An ergonomic bicycle seat to reduce pressure on a pubic bone,
ischial tuberosity and pudendal surface of a user includes a
concave frame with an opening in a central portion of the frame.
The concave frame cradles the ischial tuberosity of the user and
the opening removes pressure on the pubic bone and pudendal surface
of the user. A support layer is affixed to a top portion of the
concave frame and an arched rail is affixed to a bottom portion of
the concave frame and a bicycle. The rail flexes and disperses a
weight load of the user away from the pubic bone of the user.
Inventors: |
Marcel; Vincent Robert (El
Segundo, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Marcel; Vincent Robert |
El Segundo |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
Marcel; Vincent (El Segundo,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
51524326 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/216,763 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140265467 A1 |
Sep 18, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61852591 |
Mar 18, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J
1/002 (20130101); B62J 1/007 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62J
1/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gabler; Philip
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Plager Schack LLP
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
The application claims priority to provisional patent application
U.S. Ser. No. 61/852,591 filed on Mar. 18, 2013, the entire
contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ergonomic bicycle seat configured to reduce pressure on a
pubic bone, ischial tuberosity and pudendal surface of a user to
minimize the incidence of an injury, the bicycle seat comprising: a
substantially concave frame comprising a generally heart-shaped
opening in a central portion of the frame sufficiently large to
receive the pubic bone and a genital region of the user, the
heart-shaped opening comprising a front edge, side edges and a rear
edge that extend along outer edges of the concave frame, wherein
the rear edge of the heart-shaped opening is elevated above side
edges of the opening, wherein the concave frame is configured to
cradle the ischial tuberosity of the user and the opening is
configured to remove pressure on the pubic bone and pudendal
surface of the user; a support layer affixed to a top portion of
the concave frame; and an arched rail affixed to a bottom portion
of the concave frame and a bicycle, wherein the rail is configured
to flex and disperse a weight load of the user away from the pubic
bone of the user.
2. The ergonomic bicycle seat of claim 1, wherein the frame opening
comprises a heart shape.
3. The ergonomic bicycle seat of claim 2, wherein the arched rail
comprises a curvature such that two portions of the rail extend
substantially parallel to one another below the opening of the
concave frame.
4. The ergonomic bicycle seat of claim 2, further comprising a
magnet affixed to a bottom portion of the concave frame.
Description
BACKGROUND
The embodiments herein relate generally to bicycle seats or
saddles. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to
bicycle seats for reducing pressure on the pubic bone, ischial
tuberosity and pudendal surface of the rider.
Traditional bicycle seats contain a shell enclosed by a cover.
However, the shell and cover form a solid piece, which places
excessive pressure on the rider's pubic bone, ischial tuberosity
and pudendal surface. This is especially problematic for all riders
including men and women of all ages. Men may suffer from erectile
dysfunction and/or prostatitis after experiencing pressure on the
pudendal surface for extended periods of time. Women may experience
yeast infections and/or endometriosis from excessive pressure on
the pudendal surface for extended periods of time. In addition,
both men and women may experience a numbness or tingling in their
genital regions or sciatica due to excessive pressure from the
bicycle seat.
As such, there is a need in the industry for a bicycle seat that
effectively reduces the pressure on the pubic bone, ischial
tuberosity and pudendal surface of the user.
SUMMARY
An ergonomic bicycle seat configured to reduce pressure on a pubic
bone, ischial tuberosity and pudendal surface of a user to minimize
the incidence of an injury is provided. The bicycle seat comprises
a substantially concave frame comprising an opening in a central
portion of the frame, wherein the concave frame is configured to
cradle the ischial tuberosity of the user and the opening is
configured to remove pressure on the pubic bone and pudendal
surface of the user, a support layer affixed to a top portion of
the concave frame, and an arched rail affixed to a bottom portion
of the concave frame and a bicycle, wherein the rail is configured
to flex and disperse a weight load of the user away from the pubic
bone of the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will
be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein
the figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of certain embodiments of the
bicycle seat;
FIG. 2 depicts a bottom perspective view of certain embodiments of
the bicycle seat;
FIG. 3 depicts a side elevation view of certain embodiments of the
bicycle seat with the cover being shown in phantom;
FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of certain embodiments of the
bicycle seat with the cover being shown in phantom;
FIG. 5 depicts a side elevation view of certain embodiments of the
bicycle seat in use; and
FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of the
bicycle seat taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
As depicted in FIGS. 1-2, bicycle seat 10 comprises cover 12, seat
frame 21 and mounting rail 16. Cover 12 is a support layer, which
comprises front support area 20 and rear support area 18. Cover 12
is secured to seat frame 21 and maintains opening 14 of seat frame
21. Cover 12 may comprise any material or combination of materials
including, but not limited to, closed cell foam, nylon, carbon
fiber, or the like. Opening 14 in cover 12 and seat frame 21
comprises a heart shape, which is configured to be situated below
the user's pubic bone and genital region. This allows the user's
pubic bone and genital region to rest within opening 14, which
removes any pressure from bicycle seat 10 directed towards these
portions of the user's body.
Seat frame 21 comprises front frame portion 22 and rear frame
portion 23. As depicted in FIG. 3, seat frame 21 comprises a
substantially concave shape that leads to opening 14. The concave
shape of seat frame 21 is configured to cradle and support the
convex portion of the user such as the ischial tuberosity. Seat
frame 21 may be made from any materials including, but not limited
to, nylon glass, carbon fiber, carbon, or the like. In a preferred
embodiment, seat frame 21 may have various sizes such as small (up
to 9-11 centimeters), medium (11-13 centimeters), and large (13-17
centimeters). These sizes allow bicycle seat 10 to accommodate
adults and children of all ages. Cover 12 is affixed to seat frame
21 by any fastening means known in the field such as an
adhesive.
Mounting rail 16 is affixed to seat frame 21 at front mount 24 and
rear mounts 26. In a preferred embodiment, high strength aircraft
screws (not shown) secure rail 16 to seat frame 21 at front mount
24. Mounting rail 16 is molded within cover 12 and seat frame 21 at
rear mounts 26. It shall be appreciated that any alternative
fastening components known in the field may be used to secure
mounting rail 16 to bicycle seat 10 and the bicycle. Mounting rail
16 is 1/4'' thick and may be made from any materials including, but
not limited to, carbon steel, titanium, carbon, or the like. The
front portion of mounting rail 16 comprises an arch, which
increases the strength of the rail and effectively disperses the
weight load of the user throughout bicycle seat 10. Mounting rail
16 is further configured to flex, which allows bicycle seat 10 to
move with the user. This further reduces pressure and friction on
the user. As depicted in FIG. 4, two portions of mounting rail 16
extend substantially parallel to one another below opening 14 of
seat frame 21.
In an alternative embodiment, bicycle seat 10 comprises magnet 28,
which is affixed to the bottom of seat frame 21. Magnet 28 may be
used in conjunction with a tool bag (not shown) comprising a
corresponding magnet that engages with magnet 28. This allows the
user to conveniently store any tools or belongings in the bag under
seat frame 21 of bicycle 10.
As depicted in FIGS. 5-6, in operation, bicycle seat 10 is affixed
to a bicycle. The user sits on bicycle seat 10 and operates the
bicycle as normal. The user's pubic bone and genital region rests
within opening 14 of bicycle seat 10. This removes any pressure
from bicycle seat 10 that may be directed toward the user's pubic
bone and genital region. Further, pressure is also reduced from the
user's ischial tuberosity and pudendal surface, thereby reducing
the likelihood that the user may suffer an injury, disorder or
complication of an existing ailment. The narrow front support area
20 of bicycle seat 10 reduces chaffing of the user's inner thighs.
The concave shape of seat frame 21 cradles and supports the convex
portion of the user such as the ischial tuberosity and
buttocks.
It shall be appreciated that the components of bicycle seat 10
described in several embodiments herein may comprise any
alternative known materials in the field and be of any color, size
and/or dimensions. This allows the bicycle seat to accommodate any
user and variety of bicycles. It shall be appreciated that the
components of the bicycle seat described herein may be manufactured
and assembled using any known techniques in the field.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous
design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional
benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of
configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present
invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of
the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described
above.
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